Christine Montanti, senior editor for Social Life Magazine and publicist for the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, and Dimitriy Saykovskyy, professional ballroom dancer and co-owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio, strike a pose during the “Dancing For A Cure” charity event. Photo by Rob Rich

By Janee Lawjlaw@longislandergroup.com

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio Huntington was packed in support of “Dancing For A Cure,” a charity event for cancer research, survivors and individuals living with cancer.

The event, held on Oct. 25, was hosted by both the Equity First Foundation, a non-profit organization that works with families facing economic challenges, and Social Life Magazine.

Christine Montanti, senior editor for Social Life Magazine, and Rhonda Klch, founder of Equity First Foundation, paired up to host the event to financially support the medical bills of families battling cancer.

“We didn’t want to limit this event to breast cancer because there’s so many people in our local community on Long Island who are battling all different types of cancer, like Leukemia, colon cancer and ovarian cancer,” said Montanti, also the publicist for the dance studio. “We really wanted to raise awareness and get donations for research funding for survivors and individuals living in our community.”

Montanti, of Huntington, said the event had a “huge turnout” with around 60 people coming out. They enjoyed refreshments and food provided by Elegant Affairs and Porto Fino. There was also live entertainment, with dancing performances by Marina Palacios and Dimitriy Saykovskyy, professional ballroom dancer and co-owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio, and a musical performance by artist Nicolette.

The event raised money through $20 tickets, sponsors, and 15 raffle prizes. Montanti said they were still tallying donations as of deadline Friday, but that they’ve set a goal of raising $10,000.

Montanti said the funds will be donated to a Huntington family and a Mount Sinai family, both of which have a loved one battling Leukemia. They are 18-year-old Sarina Vito, of Huntington, and 20-year-old Christopher Galino, of Mount Sinai.

Sponsors of the event included Elegant Affairs, Personal Touch Cosmetics and Porto Fino.

Montanti said that anyone who is in the position to help raise awareness and donations for those in need should do so.

“I have the platform to help out and I want to be able to help individuals in need by using my platform,” she said. “It’s important to support our local communities and individuals who are battling cancer. They need assistance and funding, and need help to raise awareness for research funding.”